[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16106-16107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06455]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0183]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atchafalaya River, Morgan City, 
LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Morgan City Railroad Bridge across 
the Atchafalaya River (also known as Berwick Bay), mile 17.5 [Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route), mile 
0.3] in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is 
necessary to perform maintenance needed for the continued safe 
operation of the bridge. This deviation allows for the bridge to remain 
closed-to-navigation for two (2) days, 7 hours each day.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 
2017, through 1 p.m., Thursday, April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0183] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Giselle MacDonald, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BNSF Railway requested a temporary 
deviation from the operating schedule of the Morgan City Railroad 
vertical lift drawbridge across Atchafalaya River (aka Berwick Bay), 
mile 17.5 [GIWW (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route), mile 0.3] in 
Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to 
lay new rails across the bridge from the east approach to the west 
approach.
    For the purpose of this deviation, the bridge will be allowed to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 and from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 
6, 2017. At all other times the bridge will operate in accordance with 
33 CFR 117.5.
    The vertical clearance of the bridge is 4 feet above mean high 
water (MHW), elevation 8.2 feet above MHW in the closed-to-navigation 
position and 73 feet above MHW in open-to-navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, oil industry 
related work and crew boats, commercial fishing vessels and some 
recreational crafts.
    Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do 
so at anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and the 
Morgan City-Port Allen Landside route through Amelia, LA can be used as 
an alternate

[[Page 16107]]

route. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through 
our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge, so that vessel operators can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, the drawbridge must return to its 
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 29, 2017.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-06455 Filed 3-31-17; 8:45 am]
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